Flu cases in decline

Alliston Herald

SIMCOE COUNTY - The worst of the recent wave of influenza is over, prompting the Simcoe Muskoka Medical Officer of Health to lift the declaration of community-wide influenza activity.
Dr. Charles Gardner said that while there has been a sharp decline in cases, the flu is still causing serious illness for some people, however.
“Much of Ontario, and indeed much of North America, is still in the midst of a very active flu season, so people need to continue taking measures to prevent the spread of the disease to others around them,” Dr. Gardner said.
The flu vaccine is still available. The health unit points to an online tool that helps individuals decide whether they or family members have the flu, and whether to stay home or seek medical attention. It’s located at www.ontario.ca/flu. The Flu Assessment Tool is linked from the left side of the page and was created by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. People can also call the ministry’s Telehealth line at 1-866-797-0000 for one-to-one advice from a registered nurse.
The flu peaked locally during the week of Dec. 30, 2012 to Jan. 5, 2013 when 108 new lab-confirmed cases were diagnosed, more than double the total of the previous week. Almost half of the 26 institutional outbreaks of flu in the region occurred during that week as well.
In the week following, the number of lab-confirmed cases fell to 32, with a marked reduction in attendance to local emergency departments for influenza-like-illness. All but seven of the institutional outbreaks have ended.
The declaration of community-wide spread of influenza serves as a trigger for health care facilities to initiate strategies to control the further spread of influenza.